THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — Quarterback Anthony Calvillo says he is optimistic that his wife Alexia Kontolemos is winning her battle with cancer.
The Montreal Alouettes star said Wednesday in a statement that his wife has completed six cycles of chemotherapy with very little side effects. She will now wait a month before starting two cycles of radiation therapy.
"We are very optimistic," said Calvillo, who is to meet with the media on Thursday at Olympic Stadium.
He said 95 per cent of the tumour between her lungs disappeared after only two cycles of chemotherapy. She is to have a PET scan soon for an update on her condition.
Kontolemos was diagnosed on Oct. 25 with B-cell lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes with a more-than 50 per cent cure rate. Calvillo missed the final two games of the regular season and a playoff loss to Winnipeg to be with her. Marcus Brady filled in as the starting quarterback.
"We want to thank everyone who sent their well-wishes though the Alouettes website," added Calvillo. "It has been an overwhelming experience and we feel very fortunate to be in the situation we are in today."
